US to Sink Two Retired Warships in RIMPAC 2026 SINKEX
The U.S. Navy will sink retired warships USS Peleliu and USS Mobile Bay during a live sinking exercise (SINKEX) off Hawaii as part of the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, running June 24–July 31, 2026. RIMPAC involves 40 surface ships, five submarines, 140 aircraft, and over 25,000 personnel from multiple nations. This is the third SINKEX in recent weeks, following the sinking of USS Juneau. Both ships served for decades, including post-9/11 Afghanistan deployments and Middle East operations.
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Two retired warships to be sunk during Rim of the Pacific exercise
The United States Navy plans to sink two retired warships, the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu and the cruiser USS Mobile Bay, during a live sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise off the coast of Hawaii in July 2026. RIMPAC, which began on June 24 and runs through July 31, involves approximately 40 surface ships, five submarines, 140 aircraft, and over 25,000 personnel from multiple nations. The USS Peleliu, commissioned in 1980, served for 35 years and was the first ship to deploy Marines to Afghanistan after 9/11. The USS Mobile Bay, commissioned in 1987, served for 36 years and participated in operations including the 1989 evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut and launching Tomahawk missiles in Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. This will be the third SINKEX event in recent weeks, following the sinking of the USS Juneau during the Valiant Shield exercise.
Military TimesTwo retired warships to be sunk during Rim of the Pacific exercise
The amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu and the cruiser USS Mobile Bay will be sunk during the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise off the coast of Hawaii in July 2026. RIMPAC, which began on June 24 and concludes July 31, includes about 40 surface ships, five submarines, 140 aircraft, and over 25,000 personnel. The sinking will be a live sinking exercise (SINKEX), the third such event in recent weeks following the sinking of the former USS Juneau during the Valiant Shield exercise. USS Peleliu, commissioned in 1980, served 35 years and was the first ship to deploy Marines to Afghanistan after 9/11. USS Mobile Bay, commissioned in 1987, served 36 years and participated in the 1989 Beirut embassy evacuation, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The exact date of the sinkings has not been confirmed.
Military TimesTwo Retired Warships to Be Sunk During Rim of the Pacific Exercise
The biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, which began on June 24, 2026, will feature a live sinking exercise (SINKEX) off the coast of Hawaii, sending two retired U.S. warships to the ocean floor. The amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu, commissioned in 1980 and decommissioned in 2015, served as the first ship to deploy Marines to Afghanistan after 9/11 and steamed over a million miles. The cruiser USS Mobile Bay, commissioned in 1987 and decommissioned after 36 years of service, participated in the 1989 evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The sinking will be the third SINKEX event in recent weeks, following the sinking of the former USS Juneau during the Valiant Shield exercise. RIMPAC 2026 includes about 40 surface ships, five submarines, 140 aircraft, and over 25,000 personnel, concluding on July 31.
Navy TimesTwo Retired US Warships to Be Sunk During Rim of the Pacific Exercise
The US Navy will sink two retired warships, the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu and the cruiser USS Mobile Bay, during the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise off the coast of Hawaii in July 2026. The live sinking exercise (SINKEX) is part of the larger international maritime drill involving about 40 surface ships, five submarines, 140 aircraft, and over 25,000 personnel. The Peleliu, commissioned in 1980, served for 35 years and was the first ship to deploy Marines to Afghanistan after 9/11. The Mobile Bay, commissioned in 1987, served for 36 years and participated in operations including the evacuation of the US Embassy in Beirut and launching Tomahawk missiles in Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. This will be the third SINKEX event in recent weeks, following the sinking of the former USS Juneau during the Valiant Shield exercise.
Navy TimesTwo retired warships to be sunk during Rim of the Pacific exercise
The amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu and the cruiser USS Mobile Bay will be sunk during the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise off the coast of Hawaii in July 2026. RIMPAC, which began on June 24 and concludes July 31, involves about 40 surface ships, five submarines, 140 aircraft, and over 25,000 personnel from multiple nations. The sinking will be a live SINKEX event, marking the third such exercise in recent weeks following the sinking of the USS Juneau during Valiant Shield. The Peleliu, commissioned in 1980, served in Afghanistan after 9/11 and steamed over a million miles before decommissioning in 2015. The Mobile Bay, commissioned in 1987, participated in the 1989 Beirut embassy evacuation, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The exact date of the sinkings has not been confirmed.
Military TimesTwo Retired Warships to Be Sunk During Rim of the Pacific Exercise
The amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu and the cruiser USS Mobile Bay will be sunk during the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise off the coast of Hawaii in July 2026. The live sinking exercise (SINKEX) is part of RIMPAC, which began on June 24 and concludes on July 31, involving about 40 surface ships, five submarines, 140 aircraft, and over 25,000 personnel. The USS Peleliu, commissioned in 1980, served 35 years and was the first ship to deploy Marines to Afghanistan after 9/11. The USS Mobile Bay, commissioned in 1987, served 36 years and participated in operations including the 1989 Beirut embassy evacuation, Desert Storm, and Iraqi Freedom. This will be the third SINKEX event in recent weeks, following the sinking of the USS Juneau during the Valiant Shield exercise.
Navy Times